Thanks to the reach of social media, a missing young Cuban was found this Wednesday in the Hermanos Mayo area of Las Tunas, suffering from visible sunburns and in a state of disorientation.
The user Nover Rene Vargas Espinosa posted on Facebook that on his way to work, he encountered a barefoot young man who refused help despite walking with difficulty and aimlessly.
"I found this fair-skinned man, at least 30 years old, who says his name is Lázaro and that he is from the La Lisa municipality (Havana). He is disoriented, sunburned on his neck and the soles of his feet, which makes walking difficult," wrote Vargas.
"He did not allow me to help him, either physically or financially, as I offered him money to get to Las Tunas, and he did not accept it. He did not want to provide any information about his parents, family members, or phone number," Vargas added.
The post quickly garnered responses, with several users recognizing the young man and commenting that his family was searching for him.
Nancy Pérez commented that the young man was indeed the missing person and her neighbor, while Ely Tamayo mentioned that the family was aware. Meanwhile, Valentimemes Betanalonso confirmed they had contacted the older brother, who was going to fetch him promptly.
Undoubtedly, the impact of social media is significant in today's Cuba. On the same day, these platforms were used to search for Osniel Sánchez, who has been missing for four days in Havana.
In the Facebook group "Comida a Domicilio En La Habana", user Miguel Ángel requested support from anyone with information and posted two phone numbers for any contacts: 58359994 and 51183428.
Similarly, Yilena Cepa, an 18-year-old from the Songo La Maya municipality in Santiago de Cuba, has been missing since last Saturday.
Rescuer Aris Arias Batalla informed on Facebook that her family is worried about her whereabouts and has made an urgent call to the community for help in the search.
Furthermore, Mabel García Corrales has been missing since the first week of last July. She was last seen in the province of Ciego de Ávila, where she resides.
On Facebook, the feminist platform YoSíTeCreo en Cuba again alerted the public about the disappearance of Marbeli, as she is known. Marbeli is 54 years old and is described by her relatives as a woman with black hair with gray strands and black eyes.
She left her home early on June 30, wearing a T-shirt, black shorts, and no shoes.
According to a relative who spoke to the feminist platform Alas Tensas, the woman suffers from nervous conditions. Like many Cubans with this illness, she is not taking any medication due to the existing shortages in the country, although her doctor had prescribed chlorpromazine.
The family has filed a report with the police. Additionally, they have requested that anyone with information call the number 55200690, message JoseDay DayJose on Messenger, or report to the authorities.
FAQs about Missing Persons in Cuba
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the recent disappearances and the impact of social media in locating missing persons in Cuba.
How did social media help in finding the missing young man in Las Tunas?
Social media platforms like Facebook allowed users to quickly share information and recognize the missing young man, leading to his identification and the involvement of his family.
Who is Osniel Sánchez and where is he missing from?
Osniel Sánchez is another missing individual in Cuba, last seen four days ago in Havana. Efforts to locate him are ongoing, with appeals for information shared on social media.
What steps are being taken to find Yilena Cepa?
Yilena Cepa's family has made an urgent call to the community for assistance in finding her, with details of her last known whereabouts shared on social media.
What is the current situation of Mabel García Corrales?
Mabel García Corrales has been missing since early July. Her family has reported her disappearance to the police and shared additional details on social media platforms.